Japan, U.S. to Discuss Scope of Trade Talks

Tokyo, April 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan and the United States will discuss the scope of bilateral trade negotiations in the first round of talks in Washington from Monday, a senior Japanese official said Friday.

Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who is in charge of the negotiations, said he will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in the two-day talks.

The two sides will discuss the range of services their negotiations should cover, as well as proposed tariff reductions and eliminations for agricultural and other items.

In September last year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump said in a joint statement that their trade negotiations will deal with service-sector issues expected to be resolved early, in addition to the goods tariff issues.

"We'll proceed with the negotiations in line with the statement," Motegi said. "We want to deepen mutual understanding first by exchanging opinions openly and frankly."